US wholesalers boost stockpiles 1.1 per cent in September and sales jump 2 per cent

WASHINGTON - U.S. wholesale businesses increased their stockpiles in September at the fastest pace in nine months and their sales jumped by the largest amount in 18 months. The increases suggest the U.S. economy grew faster over the summer than first estimated.

Wholesale stockpiles grew 1.1 per cent in September, the Commerce Department said Friday. That's up from a 0.8 per cent increase in August, which was revised higher.

Sales at the wholesale level rose 2 per cent in September. That was double the August gain and the largest increase since March 2011.

Economists said the faster inventory growth will prompt the government to raise its July-September economic growth estimate from the 2 per cent annual rate reported last month. When businesses order more goods, it generally leads to more factory production and that boosts economic growth.

The government issued its first estimate for third quarter growth before knowing the September wholesale inventories figures. The growth estimate also did not include the September trade figures. On Thursday, the government said the U.S. trade deficit narrowed to its lowest level in nearly two years because exports rose to a record high.

Both reports suggest economic growth was stronger over the summer than first thought. The government issues its second estimate for third-quarter growth on Nov. 29.

Economists at Barclays said a string of better-than-expected numbers including Friday's wholesale inventories report had prompted them to boost their estimate for third-quarter growth to 3.2 per cent.

Some analysts said the strong rise in sales in September should encourage more restocking in coming months which would give a further boost to factory production. But Steven Wood, chief economist at Insight Economics, cautioned that while the sales gain in September was the best in 18 months, the trend in sales growth has been slowing.

Stockpiles climbed to a seasonally adjusted $494.2 billion in September, 28.4 per cent above a September 2009 post-recession low. Companies typically boost stockpiles when they are optimistic sales will rise.

Economic growth slowed in the spring, in part because high unemployment and low pay increases kept U.S. consumers from spending more freely. Consumer confidence has increased sharply since then and that has translated into a rise in consumer spending, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of economic activity.

A stronger job market could also help boost growth in the final three months of the year. When more people find jobs, consumer spending typically increases.

The government reported last week that employers added 171,000 jobs in October and hiring was stronger in August and September than first thought. Job growth at that pace was an indication that the economy is strengthening but at a slow pace.